Tannery site's demolition to begin

Several buildings will soon be demolished under the plan

Demolition work will begin on 20 May at a disused tannery site, after the South West Development Agency (RDA) approved a contractor for the work.

The Morlands site on the outskirts of Glastonbury is to be transformed, with new roads, refurbished houses and a skateboard park.

There will also be space for small and medium-sized businesses.

The first stage of demolition work is expected to be completed at the end of this year and will cost about £850,000.

We will have no loud radios or transistors on site to help keep noise to a minimum

Sharon Haskell

Gordon Woodend of RDA said: "I am delighted that demolition work is starting on site.

"Before identifying which buildings should be demolished, we consulted with English Heritage and also commissioned an archaeological survey of the site.

"We have written to local residents and explained the measures we are taking to ensure maximum safety and minimum disturbance."

Sharon Haskell of TR Demolition, which is based in Bristol, said: "We are pleased to have been chosen to carry out the demolition work at Morlands.

"We are members of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors and are joining the Considerate Contractors' Scheme which means we will have no loud radios or transistors on site to help keep noise to a minimum."

Ken Maddock, newly-appointed leader of Mendip District Council, said: "Having lived in Mendip for a long time, I remember Morlands when it was a thriving business playing a full part in the economic life of our area.

"It grieves me to see it in such a state of dereliction. We are doing all we can to speed up the regeneration of the site with progress now being achieved."